I’ve been through a lot of foundations in my time. I spent years searching for the perfect foundations and now what I’ve found them, I stick to them. It’s rare that another comes along worthy of joining that line up. Let me tell you Revlon’s new Age Defying with DNA Advantage Cream Makeup is certainly worthy. Foundation is a very individual product – one size doesn’t fit all. I look for creamy texture, medium coverage and a soft, dewy finish and this one has just that, and more!

It combines makeup and powerful anti-aging skincare to help protect skin’s DNA to fight the signs of aging, and it contains SPF 20, winner, winner!

It markets itself as having full coverage, but don’t be put off by this – it’s not thick or cakey and doesn’t look like a mask. It is however rich and creamy and provides a medium coverage with a flawless, moisturised complexion. It’s easy to apply with fingers or a brush and blends out perfectly.

Blended out

The shade is good too. I’m a big fan of Mac foundations because their shades are tailored for both warmer and cooler skin tones. Most other brands adopt a one size fits all approach which usually means they’re too yellowey or too pink. This one seems true to my skin tone. The only criticism would be that it doesn’t cater for darker tones. The range is limited with 8 shades, I’ve got Honey Beige, which is the second darkest shade they offer.

I’m probably a bit younger than this foundations target market, and in truth it’s the fancy bottle with its swirly design that attracted me, but I’m pleased it did because this is a damn good foundation at a very reasonable price, plus you’re never too young to protect the integrity of your skin’s DNA.

Available at both Boots and Superdrug £9.99 for a limited time, RRP £13.99

Shade 8 – I’m still really annoyed that they didn’t come up with sexier names like Mossy Mauve – is a muted pink. I went to a ball at the weekend sporting plum smoky eyes. I didn’t want to clash with bold lips so opted for this soft pink and it worked really well.

As with shade 5, it’s soft, moisturising and velvetty. It’s long lasting and smells gorgeous.

Shades 1,2,3,4,5,8,12

At £5.49 they represent really great value and are now available, 3 for 2, at both Boots and Superdrug stores in the UK.

Another new kid on the block! LOOK Magazine announced last week that they are launching their first beauty range. I think this is a brilliant idea and I’m surprised someone hasn’t beaten them to it. I picked up a few samples at the show last month and wanted to share my pics, and thoughts.

It’s a pretty comprehensive range with everything you’d expect – foundations, primers, blushers and more. For me the stand out product is the Double Hit Lip – lipstick at one end and gloss at the other. The shade I received is an orangey coral, which looks quite scary but is actually quite sheer.

The texture of the lipstick is nice, more like a balm and the lipgloss smells divine. These were used to achieve the very on trend bold pouts at the recent LOOK catwalk show (see the pics here). I’d be keen to try the red for a buildable crimson pout, with optional gloss finish.

As for the Statement Eyes shadows £4 each, again, not the best shades for me, but the textures are nice. Quite silky and satin-like.

I’d like to try their metallic shades – Lame and Luxe were used on the models in the show.

Other stand out products include the Ooomph Lashes mascara £7 and Holiday Glow highlighting Powder £8.

Available exclusively in Superdrug stores later this month. A donation from every product sold goes to cancer support charity Look Good… Feel Better.

Of all the budget brands I’ve never tried Collection 2000 or The Natural Collection. If truth be told I probably dismissed them based on the price, but when my little sister picked up these treats at the weekend I was intrigued to test them out.

Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Crimson £1.99

If I was blind testing this I would never have expected it to be a cheap lipstick. Don’t be fooled by the bland packaging, it’s very creamy and moisturizing – easy to apply straight from the bullet and can be layered up to achieve more intense colour. As for the shade, I struggle with reds – blue based ones don’t suit me much, I tend to go for orange/coral reds or slightly pinker reds. This, I’d describe as a universally flattering cherry red. It didn’t last as long as other red lipsticks I’ve tried, but equally it didn’t stain my lips. Overall I really liked this lipstick and it shows I should be more open minded – cheap doesn’t always equal substandard.

Natural Collection Pressed Powder £1.99

I couldn’t fully road test this as the shade is too pale for me, but my sister liked it and said it doesn’t what it says on the tin – reduces shine and gives a matte finish where it’s needed. She wore it all day and it didn’t go patchy pr dry the skin out. It’s a light, soft powder, which used sparingly can control shine, or used all over can give a matte finish. My only criticism would be the lack of shades. There’s only three, and this was the darkest, which is still quite light.

Collection 2000 Hot Looks Fast Dry Shimmy Shake £1.79 8ml

This is spectacular – I can’t believe the price tag! She opted for Shimmy Shake – a sparkly yellowy gold. I’m dubious when it comes to glitter polishes, they’re often too sheer and can take many layers to achieve the bottle colour. This one applied like a dream. I loved the formula – not too runny, not too glupey. It dried really fast and needed just two coats and unlike the natural collection, came in a vast range of shades.

This lipstick is good! In fact it’s very good! I could happily have taken away the full range. I was tempted with the nude shade for opted for the bright and bold, but disappointedly name 002 – a hot pink, cos let’s face it bold lips are here to stay.

The shade itself is I’d describe as a true fushia pink. For a budget brand, its formula is very impressive and the breakthrough black diamond complex means it reflects like never before. It’s rich, opaque and very highly pigmented – meaning a little goes a long way. I tested it straight from the bullet at first and ended up with it all the place – use a lip brush for more accurate application.

It had serious staying power too, easily withstanding a few drinks. It has a light fruity smell which is an added bonus, my only complaint, the bullet looks shorter than regular lipsticks – have Rimmel scrimped on the gramage?

The closest dupe in my collection is a MUA lipstick– not so much in the bullet but certainly on the skin.

Rimmel Left, MUA right

I thought it would be similar to MAC’s Girl About Town but it’s not as BRIGHT and has less of a blue undertone.

Anyway Mossy’s lippies get a thumbs up from me. Check out the rest of the shades here.

I popped to the shops yesterday to make some last minute essential holiday purchases and ended up picking up a few unexpexted extras along the way – I just didn’t bank on seeing so many bargains!

No7 Soft and Soothed Cleanser £3 Boots

It’s No7 voucher time again and this is my all time favourite cleanser. It’s great for dry skin and leaves a lovely moisturised glow. Normally £8, just £3 with the voucher.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Facets of Fuchsia £4.49 Boots

Words or pictures can do this nail polish justice, it’s seriously HOT! Part of Revlon’s Autumn/Winter 11 collection, it’s a grey polish jam packeked with Berrylicious specs of glitter. Currently on promotion at Boots, save £2. Here’s a quick swatch on my finger.

Poundland can be great for picking up branded cosmetics for, well £1. It can be hit and miss but pretty rewarding when you discover some gems, like this Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara in Black and 60 Second Nail Polish in Desert Beauty.

GOSH Professional Eye Brush £5.99 Superdrug

I’ve been on the look out for a slanted, precision eye shadow brush with firm bristles and this fits the bill nicely. I didn’t want to spend too much and thanks to GOSH, I didn’t have to. Made from synthetic bristles – it’s great for shadow and liner.

Tail Comb 99p Superdrug and Travel Bottles £1 Primark

I have my tangle teezer for battling the holiday hair tatters, but this tailcomb I need for backcombing. And last buy by no means least, these handly little travel bottles so I can decant some shampoo and conditioner – they even come with little lables.

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Caked

I’m a self confessed make up addict. I love to try it, apply it, wearing it and buy it! If, like me, you love to test new products, experiment with trends, track down the best deals and stalk celebrity style, then you’ll love CAKED.